Govt. Subsidizes Veterans MCP Exam Fees

Microsoft announced last week that veterans can now use their Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits to cover Microsoft Certified Professional
(MCP) exam fees.

06/01/2001

Microsoft announced last week that veterans can now use their Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits to cover Microsoft Certified Professional
(MCP) exam fees.

According to the release, individuals eligible for Montgomery G.I. Bill (Chapter
30), VEAP (Chapter 32) and Dependents Educational Assistance (Chapter 35) benefits
may receive reimbursement. The benefits do not limit the number of tests a candidate
may take and includes tests that are retaken, tests needed for renewal of certifications,
and exams taken in foreign countries. The program will applies to exams taken
as early as March 2001.

"We are proud to be one of the first high-tech certification programs to become
eligible under the new guidelines," Anne Marie McSweeney, acting director of
certification and skills assessment at Microsoft, said in a printed statement.
"We are experiencing an ever-increasing demand for skilled IT professionals.
The MCP program is designed for individuals who want to be recognized as leaders
in cutting-edge technology. U.S. veterans are an amazing resource, and we are
very pleased that this benefit could help them reach their certification goals."

Veterans can receive reimbursement for Microsoft certification exams by providing
the VA with the following information:

Name

Social Security number

Copy of the test results

Name and number of the exam and date taken

Name and address of the organization (Microsoft) issuing the license or
certificate

Cost of the exam

The following signed statement: "I authorize release of my test information
to the VA."

For more on Microsoft's MCP program, click here.
For more on VA benefits, click here.